5 Things To Do After An Automobile Accident
Video Summary
In this video, personal injury attorney Fernando Vargas explains five critical steps to take immediately after a motor vehicle accident. He emphasizes the importance of documenting the scene with photos and video, calling the police to create an official report, accepting reasonable medical care when recommended, avoiding conversations with insurance companies, and contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Following these steps, he explains, can significantly impact both your health and the outcome of your case.
Transcript
I’m Fernando Vargas, and there are five critically important things that you can and should do immediately after a motor vehicle accident that can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case.
First, we all have cell phones. Take out your phone and take pictures and video of the scene of the accident. Remember to capture the position of the vehicles in the road, and remember to capture the position of each vehicle in relationship to the other. Also, make certain that you take these pictures and this video immediately, before you move the cars from their points of rest after the collision.
Second, call the police and insist that they come out and take a report. Immediately after a collision, people are too nervous to conjure up ways to avoid responsibility. By calling the police, they will come to the scene, talk to the involved parties, and people who are nervous will typically admit their responsibility.
Third, accept reasonable medical attention, especially if you’ve been involved in a violent collision and the paramedics are recommending that you take a trip to the hospital. Remember that health is the most important thing in life, and also, by accepting reasonable medical attention, you give your lawyer every opportunity to negotiate for a higher payment for pain and suffering.
Fourth, never ever speak to any of the insurance companies — not even your own. Don’t inject yourself into a process and begin to answer questions under oath, under penalty of perjury, when you don’t understand the law, your rights, or the insurance company’s obligations.
And fifth, call me, Fernando Vargas. My consultations are always free, and my firm will give you the personal attention that you deserve. We adopt the philosophy of “one goal, one passion: client success,” and we’re here for you.